Improvement in machines for melting snow



1, MULLALY.` Machines for Melting Snow. No. 143,834, Pawnwi061.21,um.v

AM. PHOWLITHMRAPHIL LaN. X/ossm/e's minas) UNITED STATEs PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN MULLALY, or NEw Yoan, N. Y.

IMPRVEMENT IN MAGHINES FQR MELTING SNOW.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 143,834, dated October2l, 1873; application filed April 11, 1873.

To all whom t may concern.'

Be it known that I, JOHN MULLALY, of New York city, in the county of NewYork and State of New York, have invented certain new and usefulImprovementsinMachines for Melting Snow; and I do hereby declare thefollowingto be a full, clear, and exact description 'of the invention,such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it pertains tomake and use it, reference'being had to the accompanying drawings, whichform part of this specilication.

In the drawings, -Figure l is a frontend l view of my invention. Fig. 2is a vertical longitudinal view of the same, and Fig. 3 is a detailview.

My invention has for its object to provide means for the speedy removalof snow from the streets of cities and towns. The means intended consistessentially of a carriage or vehicle designed to be drawn over theground at a moderate rate of speed, said carriage being provided withwheels'or runners, and im pelled preferably by animal power. Thecarriage or machine is provided with a. revolving brush or brushes,which sweep from the ground the snow lying thereon, and throw the sameagainst a heated plate or plates, whereby the snow is melted and iiowsoff in the form of water, suitable pipes4 being provided, if desired, tocarry off the same. A single plate may be used, if desirable, againstwhich'the snow will be thrown; but I prefer to employ a series of platesso arranged that as one becomes cooled it will be withdrawn and a hotterplate substituted therefor. rlhe changing of the plates may be effectedeither by sliding in and out of position or by revolving. The

g plates are designed to be warmed by a furnace located back of them,and this furnace may be so constructed that the plates will be heatedeither by direct contact with the ilames, or that the sides top, andbottom of the` furnace itself will be plates for meltingthe main ideabeing to melt the snow by throwing it upon a heated surface.

Referring to the drawing, A shows a suitable frame, mounted uponordinary traction-wheels, and designed to `be drawn by animal power overthe streets at a moderate rate of speed. For the wheels B B runners maybe substi-V tuted, if desirable. C represents Va brush or series ofbrushes located between the front wheels, and designed to be rotated bygear or other connection with said wheels, or by steam power. Drepresents a furnace, located at the rear of the frame, having a grate,ol. In front of this furnace is a plate or plates, cl', heated by theiiames, so as to melt the snow which will be thrown upon said plate orplates by the brush C. The melted snow may be permitted to run down theplate to the ground; or suitable pipes may be employed to carry oif thewater, and, instead of the changeable plates, the back and bottom of thefurnace, heated by any suitable fuel or artificial gas, may be used formelting the snow. y

The means employed for producing achange of the plates are substantiallyas follows: Two vertically-sliding plates are connected by a chainpassing over a pulley attached to a crankshaft, which is supported uponstandards above the boiler, as shown in Fig. 3. When one plate is raisedthe other is lowered, and vice versa. The plates may be changed in otherways besides that above described, which is presented merely as anillustration, and not necessarily as the best that can be adopted.

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent,:is-

The combination, in a machine for melting s now, of a furnace, a movableplate or plates receiving heat from said furnace, and a brush or brushesso arranged as to throw the snow against said plate or plates to bemelted, substantially as specified.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto set my hand thislstday of March, 1873.

Y JOHN MULLALY.

Witnesses: Y

M. J. GONNELLY, Tiros. E. COURTENAY.

